EFF BID TO STOP FUEL LEVY HIKE STALLS

W Cape High Court dismisses application

- MASHUDU SADIKE

THE 4% fuel levy increase is set to take effect today after the Western Cape High Court dismissed the EFF’s urgent application to interdict the 4% fuel levy increase.

The EFF had filed a Notice of Motion, challenging the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana’ decision to increase the general fuel levy.

They sought to have the application heard as an urgent matter, dispensing with the usual requirements for forms and service yesterday.

The party through Advocate Mfe-sane Ka-Siboto had argued that the increase would unfairly burden the working class and poor, worsening inequality and violating constitutional rights.

He said the minister's decision lacked both rationality and parliamentary oversight.

Ka-Siboto further told the court, in accordance with the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, only a law could serve as the proper instrument for the minister to impose a tax.

The EFF claimed that Godongwana overstepped his powers by announcing the fuel levy increase in his Budget speech, without parliamentary approval.